SO what’s the gossip? We found out when we popped into the Barbara Daley Hair and Beauty salon in Lime Street to speak to Barbara Daley herself.

“Everyone’s talking about this cold weather – there have been more fallers than at the Grand National with the city centre like a skating rink.

But two programmes on TV have been warming up the conversation in the salon. First, the documentary about Paul Gasgoine and his family. All our sympathies were with Sheryl and her children. It’s so difficult to help somebody who seems to be on such a downward slide yet his family are so loyal.

Meanwhile Celebrity Big Brother has everyone hooked and the number one talking point has to be Verne and Ulrika’s version of Endless Love. To say they murdered the song was an understatement. Tina Malone (left) is this week’s Marmite – people either love her or hate her.

Summer holidays are a hot topic. Favourite destinations so far are Marbella, Ibiza and Dubai.

Another date everyone is putting in their diary is the Grand National – Ladies day is April 3 and we are already taking lots of bookings.

Diets are still in full swing and this week’s favourite alternative to chocolate is jelly.

It started with just plain strawberry but now clients are getting adventurous and alternatives are jelly with grapes, jelly with banana and jelly with crème fraiche.

No-one’s impressed with the French politician Rachida Dati who returned to work five days after having a baby. We think she’s got her priorities totally wrong.

Finally, it’s the end of us being European City of Culture and everyone seems to be sad it’s over. But what we’re all asking is: what’s happening next?”